Areas Of Hungary Research Articles

The system and spatial distribution of protected areas in Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, Serbia and Croatia

Protected areas play a key role in nature conservation but are also crucial for tourism. There are international recommendations in nature conservation (IUCN), and several international conservation conventions exist. Nevertheless, the protection categories are different in each country, and the proportion of protected areas also varies. Here we compare the nature conservation systems of some countries (Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, Serbia and Croatia) taking into consideration their nature protection laws. The selection of countries is based on an international project dealing with “Karst and National Parks”. For the comparison, national data sources and an international database (WDPA) are used. Our results show that the protection categories of the studied countries are largely similar, but there are unique characteristics as well (such as “forest park”, “monument of park architecture” in Croatia; “nature conservation area” in Hungary or “protected landscape element” in Slovakia, etc.). On the other hand, the internal proportions of protection categories are more heterogeneous, like, for example, the proportion of national parks within all protected areas which is 57.0 percent in Hungary but 11 percent in Croatia. International protection categories (Natura 2000, Ramsar, UNESCO World Heritage natural sites, UNESCO MAB reserves) are more or less similarly present in the countries studied (except Serbia, where there are no Natura 2000 areas yet). If national categories and Natura 2000 sites are all taken into consideration (and the overlapping areas are counted only once), then Croatia has the highest proportion of protected areas (39.1%), Slovakia is in second place with 37.5 percent, while Romania (23.5%) and Hungary (22.0%) show a similar proportion, and with the lack of Natura 2000, Serbia has 9.1 percent at present. As for the reliability of the WDPA, we found that this varies from country to country, with significant deficiencies for certain countries (e.g. Serbia) and very good reliability for others (e.g. Hungary, Slovakia). However, the availability of WDPA is in many cases better than that of national data, and since it also provides GIS data, it can be considered a useful tool for examining international trends and mapping protected areas.

Frost Protection Case Study in Orchards

Abstract In two important fruit-growing areas of Hungary (Siófok, Pallag) we analyzed some frost protection methods used in practice, such as paraffin candles, frostbuster and frost protection irrigation. The frost protection experiment was set up by spraying the fruit trees with water at different intervals for half a minute. The canopy of each tree contained 4 thermometers, the average value of which was used to characterize the efficiency of frost protection irrigation. The effectiveness of frost protection in the canopy of the fruit tree can be characterized by the temperature measurable during the protection. The combined presence of sub-freezing water and ice, the freed heat of freezing, keeps the temperature near the protected flowers above 0 ° C, while the ambient air is up to -8 ° C. Frostbuster is a new frost protection technology developed primarily for frost protection in orchards. The device works by butane combustion and produces high (80-90 ° C) temperatures with strong air blowing. The device is towed by a tractor, so it is suitable for protecting up to 5-7 hectares. In the event of severe frosts, the tractor speed must be increased and it is advisable to reduce the size of the protected area. Paraffin candles are placed in a row between the trees. Between every tree or every second tree. As a result, up to a thousand paraffin candles can be placed in each hectare of the protected plantation. Applying them means a lot of human labor and high cost. Our study confirmed that Fostbusteres and paraffin candles only protect against frost up to -4 ° C, while antifreeze irrigation provided effective protection against frosts of up to -7 degrees.

High Level of Unwarranted Clinical Variation in the Use of Lower Extremity Revascularisation Procedures in Hungary (2013–2017)

Assessment of variations in the use of lower extremity open vascular surgical procedures (LEOPEN) and lower extremity endovascular procedures (LEENDO) across small geographic areas in Hungary from 2013 to 2017. Introduction of a new metric giving a rough estimate of unwarranted clinical variation in revascularisation practice. Spatial variation (at local administrative unit level) of referral for LEOPEN and LEENDO was evaluated through a retrospective analysis using healthcare administrative data of all beneficiaries in Hungary. The same assessment was performed for percutaneous coronary intervention in acute myocardial infarction (PCIAMI). The latter was considered a reasonable comparator (similar at risk population, well organised, guideline driven patient pathways, small room for referral discretion). Consequently, the ratio of spatial variations of LEOPEN and LEENDO to PCIAMI (as a reference) are thought to reflect unwarranted clinical variation. A total of 109 882 procedures were identified in the database (LEOPEN, LEENDO, PCIAMI) affecting 85 083 patients. While estimates of spatial variations for LEOPEN and LEENDO turned out to be high (systematic component of variation [SCV] 0.09 and 0.21, respectively), PCIAMI showed a low SCV value of 0.02. Consequently, the ratios of SCVs were SCV/SCVref= 4.67 (LEOPEN) and SCV/SCVref= 10.3 (LEENDO), indicating high levels of unwarranted clinical variation. The analysis showed that patients living in different locations of Hungary face very different odds of having lower extremity revascularisation procedures (open or endovascular). This spatial variation is thought to be related mainly to the failure in vascular service organisation. The newly introduced numerical estimate of unwarranted clinical variation may support within, and also between, system comparisons.

Development of leisure and sports consumption and sports motivation among children with disabilities


 The number of studies on the leisure and sporting habits of people with disabilities as well as the background of sports motivation is far from the focus of research on intact research. Thus, the assessment of physical habits and sports motivation factors determining the quality of life of persons with disabilities can be considered as a less researched deficit area in Hungary and internationally.
 
 
 In our research, we examine the recreational and sporting habits of the 8-18 year-olds, as well as the motivational background, and the results of this research are presented in this paper. The importance of this issue is confirmed by the fact that, according to a UN survey, 650 million people have some kind of disability, 50 million of them in Europe and nearly half a million in Hungary, 5% of the population. The questionnaire (N = 639) was filled by children with disabilities living in the North Great Plain region with the help of a teacher. We used both closed and open questions in the questionnaire, and we helped and orient children with response categories for some questions.
 
 
 Data were processed using SPSS software, averaged, standard deviation, median, mode, and Chi2 probe was used to examine relationships in addition to basic statistics.
 
 
 Our results showed that it is a problem for young people with disabilities that they prefer passive leisure activities, which is similar to the results of studies on intact research. Boys and girls have different sports, boys are more active than girls.

Where to hike? Mobile application for guiding tourists in the Bükkalja Region, Hungary

Abstract. Hiking is one of the most popular outdoor sports activities in Hungary. Despite not having many mountainous areas, a wide network of hiking trails crosses the country’s landscapes. As online tourist maps and thematic mobile applications become more and more popular among hikers, the role of paper-based, analogue tourist maps decreases. However, no thematic application has been issued that contains detailed surveyed (or crowdsourced) data on attractions or the natural circumstances (coverage, difficulty) for a certain area in Hungary yet. Nature tourism in the Bükkalja Region, Hungary is mostly based on geological-geomorphological features that are completed with cultural facilities. The length of the hiking trail system is more than 370 km in the examined 354 km2 large sample area. We have developed an OS mobile application that offers guidance for tourists based on four basic pillars: the physical condition of the trails, the attractions along a trail, dangerous trail segments and hiking trail marking quality. These pillars are visualized with an OpenLayers-based online map. The result is a multi-purpose smartphone application. Its main aim is to offer a planning platform for tourists by examining the difficulty of the trails and designating the attractions to visit. There is information on the most important attractions of the area: cultural and geoscientific sites are also presented. We also encourage users to report changes to the map data content via the crowdsourcing menu. These comments and remarks are continuously checked for validity and the database is modified with the use of them.

TRAVELLING HABITS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Accessible tourism is an under-researched area in Hungary. Based on the results of a questionnaire survey, the aim of the present study is to present several specific features of the travel demand of people with disabilities, the foremost focus being the examination of the most popular tourism products in the demand of people with disabilities. 268 Hungarians responded to the survey in online and face-to-face contexts. In addition to the Hungarian survey, the article also covers small-sample research results from four other countries (Germany, Italy, Spain and Croatia). The results show that members of the target group reject segregation solutions during their travels, and, as opposed to integration, clearly demand inclusion. Their travel frequency is above average of the entire population, with interests as diverse as those without disabilities. The issue of accessible tourism affects 10% of the European population, and thus, besides the significance of the issue from a social and societal point of view, this segment cannot be neglected in terms of its market value either. Understanding the expectations of stakeholders and their specific consumer habits is an essential requirement in the development of appropriate tourism supply and in ensuring equal access to services.

A hasznosítási gyakoriság és az időjárás hatása száraz és üde fekvésű gyepek takarmány-minőségére

Irrigating pastures is a viable option only in a few selected areas in Hungary, even though pasture is a water demanding culture. Species composition will be impacted by the climate change, reduced winter and spring precipitation and the increasing number of hot days as well as the rise in temperature. Coverage by dicots and C4 grasses will increase, resulting in a change in feed quality. Yield losses and deteriorating quality should be compensated by an adaptive agricultural technology. We examined the impacts of 3 utilization technologies and seasonal weather conditions on dry and mesic pastures in the years 2006-2010. Results indicated a significant difference in feed quality and factors determining nutrient content caused by water supply. On the dry pasture, humidity had a significant and substantial negative impact (highest significance, highest r-value) whereas the mesic pasture was essentially affected by precipitation. On the mesic pasture, high temperatures, strong radiation and high amounts of precipitation all had negative impacts on the digestibility and metabolisable energy content of grass. Crude protein contents showed strong correlation only with annual precipitation.

AUTOMATED PROCESSING OF POINT CLOUDS TO UPDATE LAND REGISTRY MAPS

Abstract. The quality control, maintenance, and renewal of land registry maps have always been priorities in the surveying profession. Many countries worldwide must face the issue that a significant part of their current digital land registry maps are based on old analogue maps that were digitised without involving any in-situ measurements. A direct consequence of this is that the digitised maps' accuracy leaves much to be desired and lags behind maps based on either correct survey or numerical data. Moreover, the quality of existing digital maps can be characterised by inhomogeneity that highly depends on the location. The final solution to the problem would be to carry out new surveys in the critical areas, but that has been postponed due to the lack of time and excessive costs.However, in recent years, point cloud technologies, such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), Terrestrial Laser Scanners (TLS), Aerial Laser Scanners (ALS), together with Mobile Mapping Systems (MMS), have become the focus of attention in mapping. Thanks to these technologies, experts can survey large areas with the necessary and homogenous accuracy, high resolution, and significantly, very rapidly. It is beyond doubt that these modern technologies benefit the process of updating old and less relevant maps.Another underlying aspect worth considering is the automation in data processing since a massive amount of data needs to be evaluated. Some algorithms and their validation on study areas in Hungary are presented in this paper. Our study focuses on the mapping of buildings using point clouds generated from UAV images.

Comparison of metal burden in different muscle tissues of Great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)

Concentrations of 12 metals (As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb and Zn) were examined in the pectoral and thigh muscle of great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo). The samples were collected from Central Tisza-Jászság Nature Conservation Area in Hungary. The tissue samples were analysed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The aim of the study was to examine the impacts of heavy metal pollution on the water birds, determine the concentrations of the abovementioned metals in the different muscle tissues of these wetland birds, and provide the basic materials for monitoring the environmental pollution. Among the investigated elements/metals, the detected concentrations of As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Mo and Ni were below the detection limit. Higher concentration of Cu, Hg, Mn and Pb was measured in the pectoral muscle compared to the thigh muscle, but only in the case of Cu and Mn were found significant differences between the tissues. In the case of the Zn concentration, the higher value was detected in the thigh muscle. There were no statistical differences between males and females in either metal concentrations.

Accelerated soil development due to seasonal water-saturation under hydric conditions

Pedogenesis is considered a long-term environmental process; however, it can be accelerated by periodic water saturation (hydric conditions). The exact nature and effectiveness of hydric conditions in the intensification of soil development are not clear yet. Our understanding of the timescales of the mineralogical changes occurring in soils is limited; however, the timeframe of soil organic matter accumulation is broadly known. Here, we described soil development over a period of 50 years.The studied soils Calcaric Mollic Gleysol (Endoarenic, Epiloamic, Hyperhumic) and a Calcaric Calcic Histic Gleysol (Endoarenic, Epiloamic) are located in a swampy area in Hungary, Central Europe. The start of the soil formation process is well documented here; the parent material was deposited during a major flood event in 1963. Therefore, the examined soil profile represents development over the last 50 years. We also studied the parent material of an adjacent dune as a reference. We used a CN elemental analyser to determine soil organic carbon and total bound nitrogen content. Selective extractions were also used to determine amorphous and crystalline Fe and Mn content alongside X-ray phase analysis (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for mineralogical analysis, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) for elemental analysis, and laser diffraction for particle size analysis of the bulk soil samples. Simple chemical tests were also performed in the field. Redox potential (Eh) and pH were measured by a field monitoring station.Fifty years under hydric conditions resulted in rapid vertical differentiation within the soil profile including remarkable soil organic matter enrichment in the topsoil, and the formation of smectite and Fe accumulation in the zone of groundwater fluctuation. A high proportion of amorphous and colloidal phases indicated that very intense processes had taken place in the zone of the most intensive redox oscillation. The presence of more crystalline goethite in the bulk soil reflects frequent Eh changes, associated with chemical or microbial processes, while the presence of amorphous ferrihydrite indicates the effect of plant roots. Permanently reductive subsoil conditions also facilitated intense carbonate precipitation. These findings demonstrate that soil formation can proceed faster than previously assumed under hydric conditions.

Lower educational status interferes with maternal iodine intake during both pregnancy and lactation.

ObjectiveTo investigate factors affecting conscious iodine intake among pregnant and lactating women in a rural area in Hungary.MethodsPregnant women were studied and followed during lactation. Urinary and breast milk iodine concentration (UIC and MIC) were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Potential interfering factors, including age, educational status and smoking were assessed.ResultsDuring pregnancy and lactation, mild iodine deficiency was observed; median UIC were 66 and 49 µg/L, respectively. Educational status was found to be a strong determinant of both iodine nutrition and smoking status during pregnancy (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001) and lactation (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01). While smoking and non-smoking lactating mothers had similar concentrations of urinary iodine (median UIC: 47 and 51 µg/L, P = 0.95), the breast milk of smoking mothers contained less iodine (median MIC: 150 and 203 µg/L, P = 0.03).ConclusionsBoth low iodine intake and smoking contribute to the higher risk of iodine deficiency in women with lower educational status. In smokers, MIC is often low in spite of normal UIC, presumably due to the iodine transport blocking effect of the cigarette smoke towards breast milk; normal UIC may be misinterpreted as sufficient iodine supply towards the child. Antenatal health promotion strategies should focus on young women with lower educational status, even in regions where sufficient iodine intake has been achieved in non-pregnant adults.

Genome characterization, prevalence and tissue distribution of astrovirus, hepevirus and norovirus among wild and laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus) and mice (Mus musculus) in Hungary.

Rodents including rats are reservoir of several pathogens capable of affecting human health. In this study, faecal and different organ specimens from free-living Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) (N=18) and faecal samples from laboratory rodents (rats N=21 and mice N=20) collected from different geographic areas in Hungary between 2017 and 2020 were investigated by viral metagenomics and conventional RT-PCR methods. The complete genome of three different RNA viruses, rat astrovirus, rat norovirus and rat hepevirus were characterized and analysed in detail. Rat norovirus was detected in faecal (17.6%, 3/17) and kidney (7.1%, 1/14) samples; rat astrovirus in faecal (23.5%, 4/17) and spleen (13.3%, 2/15) samples, and rat hepevirus in 43% to 67% the faecal, liver, kidney, lung, heart, muscle, brain and blood samples from Norway rats, respectively. Rat norovirus was also identifiable in 5% (1/21) of laboratory rats and rat astrovirus in 40% (8/20) of faecal samples from laboratory mice. Co-infections were found in 28% (5/18) wild Norway rats. The highest RNA viral load of astrovirus (1.81×108 copy/g) and norovirus (3.49×107 copy/g) were measured in faecal samples; while the highest RNA viral load of hepevirus (1.16×109 copy/g) was found in liver samples of Norway rats, respectively. This study confirms the wide geographic distribution and high prevalence of astrovirus, norovirus and hepevirus among wild rats in Hungary with confirmation of different organ involvement of as well as the detection of norovirus and astrovirus in laboratory rats and mice, respectively. This finding further strengthens the role of rodents in the spread of viral pathogens especially infecting human.

Movement, space-use and resource preferences of European golden jackals in human-dominated landscapes: insights from a telemetry study

During the last half-century, the distribution of golden jackals (Canis aureus) has rapidly increased throughout Europe. Today, golden jackals are thriving in human-dominated landscapes across Southeastern and Central Europe. Most studies on golden jackals have focused on large-scale distribution patterns; to date, little is known about the species’ fine-scale spatial ecology. In this study, we analyzed the movement behavior, space-use and resource selection of six golden jackals fitted with GPS-GSM collars in two study areas in Hungary and Serbia. Two of the jackals were a breeding pair. We found that home range size averaged 11.2 km2 (90% autocorrelated kernel density estimation), and was characterized by significant individual-level variability (range 1.3–32.5 km2). Golden jackal movements and resource selection were strongly influenced by circadian patterns: during the day, jackals travelled an average of 300 m every 6 h, and all monitored individuals selected for vegetation cover, often near edges. At night, golden jackals travelled significantly further (1 km 6 h−1), and were more likely to venture outside of cover into agricultural areas. Movement analysis of the breeding pair revealed that the male and female tended to remain in close proximity during the day, but ranged more independently at night. Altogether, our findings suggest that golden jackals’ ability to thrive in human-dominated landscapes rely on a fine spatio-temporal avoidance of humans.

Effect of weed management practices on weed cover in field pea (pisum sativum l.)

Field pea (Pisum sativum L.) are planted on small area in Hungary, although it is a precious source of protein (22-28%), and it also plays a significant role like a component in fodder mixture and green forage. It is a great part in crop rotation as a short growing-season legume. Furthermore, it has beneficial effects of nitrogen-fixing nodules being able to obtain N derived from air. One of the most critical limiting factors is to find out weed management practise for control of weeds in field pea.&#x0D; Our field experiment was carried out on site of the National Agricultural Research and Innovation Centre, the Department of Field Crops Research in Öthalom for comparing weed management strategies by evaluate their efficacy and weed flora. We used 6 herbicides or herbicid combination and observed weed density in 5 times during the growing season.&#x0D; The most important weeds were: common chickweed (Stellaria media), wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis), branching lackspur (Consolida regalis), meldweed (Chenopodium album). Among the treatments the highest weed cover was the weedy check, followed by Stomp Super, obtained maximum weed control and long lasting effect. With the application of Basagran 480 SL and Pulsar 40 SL have a significantly lower weed density was recorded than preemergence applications. In case of Corum application, it was the lowest weed cover of all even at harvesting time. According to our experiments use of Dash does not control weeds considerably.

Urban emergence of Dermanyssus gallinae lineage L1 and Ornithonyssus sylviarum in Hungary: phylogenetic differentiation between the roles of migrating vs transported synanthropic birds

BackgroundAmong Dermanyssoidea, the chicken red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae) and the northern fowl mite (Ornithonyssus sylviarum) are considered to be the cause of high economic losses endured by the poultry industry in the Holarctic region, with O. sylviarum predominating in North America and D. gallinae in Europe. Both species have a short life-cycle (thereby allowing a rapid build-up of massive infestations), a wide range of hosts, synanthropic presence and the ability to bite humans. The aim of this study was to analyze dermanyssoid mite specimens, collected in two human dwellings and two racing pigeon premises in different urban areas in Hungary, with molecular–phylogenetic methods.MethodsMite species were identified morphologically. This was followed by DNA extraction and molecular–phylogenetic analyses of selected mites, based on the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) and 28S rRNA (28S) genes.ResultsMites that had invaded a home from a pigeon nest and were linked to human dermatitis were morphologically and molecularly identified as D. gallinae special lineage L1. Specimens collected at all other sampling sites were identified as O. sylviarum, including mites that had invaded a home from a house martin (Delichon urbicum) nest, as well as those which were collected from racing pigeons. House martin- or pigeon-associated O. sylviarum specimens showed the highest sequence identity and closest phylogenetic relationship with conspecific mites reported in GenBank from Israel or Canada, respectively.ConclusionsDetailed morphological and molecular–phylogenetic analyses of D. gallinae lineage L1 confirmed its status as a cryptic species within D. gallinae (s.l.). Taking into account the well-documented latitudinal migratory routes of house martins between Hungary and Africa, O. sylviarum associated with this bird species most likely arrived on its host from the eastern Mediterranean region. On the other hand, mites collected from pigeons in Hungary showed cox1 genetic homogeneity with North American O. sylviarum, which can only be explained by a long-distance (west-to-east intercontinental) connection of birds and their mites as part of human activity (e.g. transportation to exhibitions or trading). In summary, this is the first molecularly confirmed and phylogenetically analyzed case of O. sylviarum infestation of birds in Hungary, implicating urban environment and involving distant parts of the country. This is also the first report of D. gallinae lineage L1 in central Europe.Graphical

Validation of Visually Interpreted Corine Land Cover Classes with Spectral Values of Satellite Images and Machine Learning

We analyzed the Corine Land Cover 2018 (CLC2018) dataset to reveal the correspondence between land cover categories of the CLC and the spectral information of Landsat-8, Sentinel-2 and PlanetScope images. Level 1 categories of the CLC2018 were analyzed in a 25 km × 25 km study area in Hungary. Spectral data were summarized by land cover polygons, and the dataset was evaluated with statistical tests. We then performed Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) and Random Forest classifications to reveal if CLC L1 level categories were confirmed by spectral values. Wetlands and water bodies were the most likely to be confused with other categories. The least mixture was observed when we applied the median to quantify the pixel variance of CLC polygons. RF outperformed the LDA’s accuracy, and PlanetScope’s data were the most accurate. Analysis of class level accuracies showed that agricultural areas and wetlands had the most issues with misclassification. We proved the representativeness of the results with a repeated randomized test, and only PlanetScope seemed to be ungeneralizable. Results showed that CLC polygons, as basic units of land cover, can ensure 71.1–78.5% OAs for the three satellite sensors; higher geometric resolution resulted in better accuracy. These results justified CLC polygons, in spite of visual interpretation, can hold relevant information about land cover considering the surface reflectance values of satellites. However, using CLC as ground truth data for land cover classifications can be questionable, at least in the L1 nomenclature.

In memoriam Klára Verseghy (1930–2020)

Dr Klára Verseghy (1930–2020), a student of the famous Hungarian lichenologist Ödön Szatala, was working as the curator of the lichen collection of the Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest between 1958 and 1985. She did a great development in the lichen herbarium arranging and registering the big collections of F. Fóriss, V. Gyelnik and Ö. Szatala in the Zahlbruckner’s system. Separating the type specimens she prepared also the type catalogue of the lichen collection in 1964. Approximately 5,000 lichen specimens were collected by herself in several areas of Hungary (e.g. Bakony Mts, Hortobágy, Kiskunság, Praenoricum, Vendvidék, Villány Mts, Zemplén Mts) and ca 1,500 specimens from other countries (e.g. Finland, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, Turkey and Ukraine). She published more than a hundred scientific and popular papers mainly on floristics, taxonomy, plant physiology and bioindication. Altogether 46 new taxa (19 species, 27 varieties and forms) and 69 new combinations were described by her. Following her taxonomic revisions (Caloplaca, Gasparrinia, Ochrolechia, Squamaria, Squamarina spp.) and floristical studies she prepared her main work “Magyarország zuzmóflórájának kézikönyve (The handbook of the Hungarian lichen flora)” in 1994. Her publications (106, including 23 in popular subject), her revisions and thousands of lichen specimens, the genus Verseghya and two species, Verseghya klarae and Verseghya thysanophora named after her preserve her memories.

Long-term Characterization of Urban PM10 in Hungary

Over urban areas in Hungary, the annual average PM10 concentrations are not frequently higher than 40 µg m–3. Despite the mitigation efforts of the local governments, the annual number of exceedances of the daily limit of 50 µg m–3 is higher than what is outlined in EU Directive No 2008/50/EC. The goal of the present study is to assess the characteristics of the temporal (annual, seasonal, daily) variations in PM10 concentrations in selected Hungarian cities with large populations, where most of the exceedances have been reported. The impacts of meteorological conditions on the measured PM10 concentrations and their temporal variations are also evaluated. An important aspect of studying the trends of air pollution is that the tendencies depend not only on the emissions of certain pollutants but also on the meteorological conditions in the area of interest. To analyse emission-related trends, the meteorological signal must be removed from the data series. In this study, the Kolmogorov-Zurbenko (KZ) filter was used for this type of trend separation. Moreover, multiple nonlinear regression analysis was used to find relationships between the PM10 concentration and several meteorological parameters. The goal of this analysis is to estimate the expected daily mean PM10 concentration values. The results of this analysis demonstrate that the regression equation can provide an adequate method for PM pollution forecasting. In addition to the hourly PM10 concentrations and basic meteorological data, global radiation and boundary layer height were considered in the characterization process.

Szemelvények az elmúlt két évtized ELTE-n végzett, medenceléptékű hidrogeológiai kutatásaiból

Az Eötvös Loránd Tudományegyetem (ELTE) Általános és Alkalmazott Földtani Tanszékének hidrogeológiai kutató és oktatócsoportja (Tóth József és Erzsébet Hidrogeológia Professzúra) tevékenységének középpontjában a felszínalatti vízáramlásoknak és kapcsolódó jelenségeknek a hidraulikus folytonosság alaptételére épülő medenceléptékű és rendszer szemléletű megközelítése áll. A jelen tanulmány e megközelítést történeti felvezetéssel és a korábbi, rétegtani (hidrosztratigráfiai) alapú „artézi” paradigmával szembeállítva mutatja be. A folyamatosan fejlesztett medenceléptékű hidrogeológiai kutatási módszertant röviden tárgyaljuk, a technikai részletek helyett kiemelve az alkalmazott módszertani megközelítések magyarázatát. Ezek közül legnagyobb jelentőséggel a kutakban mérhető hidraulikai adatok medenceléptékű, azaz medencehidraulikai elemzése bír, amelynek eredménye a „valós vízáramlási rendszermodell” felállítása. Ennek megfelelően kutatás történetünkből a medenceléptékű és különösen a medencehidraulikai eredményeket szemlézzük a továbbiakban, említve az ezekáltal összefüggésrendszerbe helyezett és egyéb módszerekkel vizsgált jelenségeket is. Az ország területének nagyrészét lefedő kutatásaink domborzattól és kőzettípustól (sziliciklasztos vagy karbonátos) függetlenül kimutatták a kőzetváz hidraulikus folytonosságát és a gravitáció vezérelte regionális felszínalatti vízáramlási rendszerek jelenlétét. Ezek medenceléptékben fedetlen, csapadékvízből utánpótlódó és közel hidrosztatikus nyomásrezsimű tartománya alatt a mélymedencékben abnormális nyomásrezsimek (túlnyomásos vagy alulnyomásos) fedett, és nem vagy csak korlátozottan utánpótlódó tartományai találhatók. E komplex hidraulikai helyzettel és a felszínalatti víz áramlások földtani és környezeti hatótényező szerepével számos felszíni (szikesedés, felszín alatti víztől függő ökoszisztémák, FAVÖKO-k stb.), és felszín alatti (hipogénbarlangképződés, szénhidrogén csapdázódás stb.) jelenség és folyamat nyert magyarázatot.

Heat consumption scenarios in the rural residential sector: the potential of heat pump-based demand-side management for sustainable heating

BackgroundPoor air quality and inadequate domestic heating sources are tightly connected problems in the Eastern-European countryside. There are a few alternatives to comprehensively solve these problems with an emphasis on economic and environmental sustainability. In this paper, individual heat pumps and energy efficiency measures are analyzed in four scenarios to investigate their role for cleaner and sufficient heating in rural settings. From a high-level perspective, this paper assesses the potential for electricity demand flexibility based on the use of individual heat pumps equipped with hot water storage.MethodsIn a first step, the current annual residential heating energy consumption of a rural area in Hungary is estimated with a bottom-up model using data from field surveys and official datasets. In a second step, four scenarios estimate the future heating energy consumption considering demographic trends and the average number of building retrofits (thermal insulation) performed yearly in the region.ResultsThe reference scenario is a 20-year projection of heating energy consumption with modest retrofit actions which resulted in small energy savings. Alternative scenarios based on more effective retrofit actions reaching higher rates of the building stock would result in a 23–69% reduction in final energy consumption. Phasing out lignite from the heating energy mix would reduce particulate matter emissions. Each well-insulated dwelling with a heat pump-based system and hot water storage tank could provide theoretical flexibility of approximately 3.4 kWh per 24 h.ConclusionsThe current energy retrofit practices are not sufficient to solve the challenges faced in this area. Demand-side management policies based on the widespread use of individual heat pumps are an alternative to promote access to cleaner residential heating. An additional benefit is the potential for flexibility in electricity demand. Thus, this paper calls for an integration of energy retrofit with efficient heating (including hot water storage tank) to achieve results that further contribute to a future of sustainable energy.